Ken Shank

Ken Shank, 55, of rural Rhodes, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Following cremation, memorial services for Ken will be held at 6:00 PM, Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Ames Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses (23048 590th Avenue, Nevada, Iowa). A private family burial will take place at a later date. A memorial visitation for Ken will be held from 4:00 PM 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 25, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home (1209 Iowa Avenue West, Marshalltown, Iowa) where Kens family will be present to greet friends. Memorial donations may be directed in Kens name to his family. For further information or to send a condolence please call (641) 844-1234 or visit www.mitchellfh.com Ken was born February 24, 1955 in Eldora, Iowa, the son of LaVerne and June (Havens) Shank. He was raised on their family farm in Owasa, Iowa through the 5th grade at which time his family moved to the Gilman, Iowa area. Ken graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1973 and a short time later met his future wife Pat Maish. Ken and Pat shared a love for music and were united in marriage on September 25, 1976, at the Hickory Grove Park in Colo, Iowa. Following their marriage Ken was employed by Donnellys in Nevada, Iowa and then went on to work as a computer operator at Aviva Life & Annuity Company in Des Moines from which he retired. Most recently Ken was self employed in metal reclamation. Ken was an outdoorsman who loved hunting for mushrooms and rocks. He was also a very talented musician who played the guitar and even wrote his own music. Throughout their marriage Ken and his wife Pat sang together at many gatherings. Ken was an active member of the Ames Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses. Ken is survived by his wife Pat, of rural Rhodes, Iowa, his daughter Seren Shank of Oelwein, Iowa, his siblings; Beverly (Archie) Kroeger of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Jackie Shineflew of Des Moines, Iowa, Georgia (Fred) Whitmore of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Steve Shank of Marshalltown, Iowa, BernaDene (Tim) Hutchinson of Marshalltown, Iowa, his sister-in-law, Sally Speer of Loveland, Colorado and his father-in-law James Maish of State Center, Iowa, as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law Dorothy, and a sister in infancy.